The seventh edition of DDN HUB was held from April 17 to 23, 2023, with a rich program of events, meetings, and installations that enlivened Milan’s Piazza del Cannone
DDN HUB 2023 offered a program packed of events promoting the balance between sustainability and technology on Piazza del Cannone, within the Castello Sforzesco. Exhibitions, installations and talks enlivened for a week Piazza del Cannone, the green heart of Milan and Castello Sforzesco, with the special participation of Italian and international companies and professionals from the design industry.
DDN HUB 2023: exhibitions and talks
Every day, several guests participated in talks and panel discussions to dialogue and reflect together on the most current topics. These meetings were held inside La Fenice, the enchanting structure created by Privitera Eventi, a leading company in event venue design. It also hosted installations and design performances reflecting on the relationship between human beings and nature.
Outside, it was possible to visit “CASADESIGNSHOW”, promoted by IDC Italian Design Corporation, featuring impressive exhibition design by Studio Cappellini Design in collaboration with interior designer Giulia Gedeone. The exhibition showcased the following products: Sadun panels by Alart, luminaires by Bespoke Lighting Solutions Srl, decorative radiators by Cordivari Design; sound-absorbing curtains and spheres by Slalom, metal sheets by Emboss Panels, beds by Enuit 21.
There were also shoes by Alexander Smith, the design and integration of multimedia appliances by Audio & Light Systems, outdoor kitchens by Terrenere and Quarella marbles. Lastly, CASADESIGNSHOW also saw the participation of Agricooltur, a company that designs and develops patented systems for aeroponic farming.
Moreover, Vorwerk celebrated the 85th anniversary of Folletto at DDN HUB with a work by famous illustrator Ale Giorgini.
TreP+ presented its new doors: Luce by Joe Colombo, Dress Code by Filippo Protasoni, and Kingsize001 by Maurizio Favetta. On the other side, Ento previewed two new collections: Lev by Victor Vasilev and Hansa by Sebastian Herkner. These high-quality handles are made entirely of brass, durable and resistant to chemicals and weather. At DDN HUB, visitors could discover them in augmented reality, choose from the different finishes, and learn more about the aspects that make a high-quality handle.
West and East meet
As for the scheduled talks, there was a slot dedicated to Chinese Design Weeks. This important institutional moment, promoted by Sino European Innovation Center, Beijing Keyi and Dontstop Architettura, saw the participation of the most important figures of the Chinese industry dialogue with the main representatives of Milan Design Week. Ample space was also given to the launch of the Jinteg Award, China’s most influential interior design competition, launched by the China International Decoration Association, of which DDN is a media partner. The global launch ceremony at DDN HUB was attended by more than 40 top Chinese and international designers and architects. On that occasion, Tencent Home and Design Evolution collaborated with more than 30 Chinese media outlets to promote the event in the best possible way.
Glamping in the heart of Milan with Crippaconcept
Crippaconcept’s architectural installation Open Air Design Vision brought glamping hospitality to the heart of Milan. The fully walkable installation, made of natural, recycled and recyclable materials, invited passersby and the audience of Design Week 2023 to discover how to take excellent vacations in the open air.
The exhibition space was accompanied by an impressive cultural and technical program. Crippaconcept, in fact, brought together the world of Italian and European open-air tourism with a discussion and training session for insiders, press, architects and designers. The talk, dedicated to glamorous camping, addressed numerous issues. For example, it discussed how landscape design can improve tourists’ well-being through positive climate solutions, and how certain participatory processes can lead to sustainable and measurable development even on vacation.
DDN HUB’s digital exhibitions
DDN HUB also hosted a digital exhibition of international and emerging artists, curated by Major Events.
On that occasion, visitors could interact with Urban LedCub3, a cube capable of conveying content and interact with users. This initiative is perfectly in line with the mission of URBAN VISION, a company that for years has been committed to creating stimulating projects that integrate into the urban fabric to offer something beautiful to see. Just think of their Artwalls and 3D screens: new means of urban communication aimed at a young and increasingly dynamic audience.
Fashion and food design
At DDN HUB there was also room for fashion, with the special participation of Alessandro del Piero, the well-known soccer player who presented the ultra-lightweight XY glasses. The new Bold collection from AirDP Style, for which Del Piero is brand ambassador, features shades, colors, shadows and transparencies that give a 3D effect to eyewear. Moreover, the temples are inserted with new technologies that make it possible to revolutionize ordinary forms and develop particular color shades.
Moving on to food, our beloved starred chefs from Eurotoques returned to DDN HUB to delight visitors with cooking demonstrations and special delicacies accompanied by Ilatium Morini wines and Bonamini olive oil.
Lastly, DDN HUB 2023 also hosted the gala dinner, attended by more than 250 guests including entrepreneurs, designers, architects and journalists. A big “thank you” to all our guests and we look forward to seeing you in great numbers at the next edition of DDN HUB in April 2024.
